Electronic roll towel dispenser

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one form is a motorized electric dispenser, designed to be a low-cost device having a reduced footprint. The dispenser electromechanically dispenses a pre-determined length sheet of material to the user, without the requirement of a touchless sensor, or the user needing to directly touch any part of the dispenser while the hygienic portion is functioning properly. In the event that the hygienic portion is not functioning properly, a manual advance assembly may also be utilized. One objective of the device in one form is to provide a variably determined sheet of material to the user in accordance with industry standards, without the use of the standard “touchless” sensors. In another form, the entire roll of material remains sanitary and enclosed within the dispenser until it is dispensed. In one form, there is no “tail” projecting from the dispenser that may be a source of cross-contamination.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/073,630,filed Jun. 18, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE a) Field of the Disclosure

This invention relates generally to towel dispensers and particularly toa hygienic, away-from-home type paper towel dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A hygienic dispenser for dispensing a length of product from a roll isdisclosed herein. The dispenser comprises a dispenser housing; a surfacedefining an engagement opening in the dispenser housing; a dispensingslot; and a button mechanism adjacent the engagement opening. In oneform, the product path is defined as the path product will take from theproduct roll to the dispensing slot. In one form, the product pathpasses between the engagement opening and the button mechanism.

The hygienic dispenser may also include a pressure roller adjacent tothe drive roller. In one form, the pressure roller is operativelyconfigured to provide frictional engagement between the product beingdispensed and the drive roller.

The hygienic dispenser may also comprise: a front casing; a rear casing,wherein the front casing is rotatably coupled to the rear casing; and apressure roller which is coupled to the front casing.

In one form, the hygienic dispenser further comprises a manual advanceassembly for use when the hygienic dispensing system is not functioningproperly. The hygienic dispenser may also comprise a one-way-rotationaldevice operatively configured to allow a user to manually operate themanual advance mechanism in only one direction. In this way, a user willnot be able to “draw up” the product in the paper path as it will not beengaged with the drive roller.

The hygienic dispenser may be operatively configured to dispense alength of product at each operation of the button mechanism, greaterthan the distance along the paper path from the engagement opening tothe dispensing slot. The hygienic dispenser may also comprise a cuttingedge coupled to the dispenser housing, wherein the length of productdispensed at each operation of the button mechanism is greater than thedistance along the paper path between the engagement opening and thecutting edge. In one form, the length of product dispensed at eachoperation of the button mechanism is greater than the distance along thepaper path between the upper edge of the engagement opening and thecutting edge. In this way, the portion of product that was contacted bythe user is dispersed to the user and a clean/hygienic touch surface ispreserved.

The hygienic dispenser may also comprise a drive motor coupled to adrive roller wherein the drive roller is operatively configured toengage the product being dispensed. In one form, circuitry may becoupled between the drive motor and the button mechanism wherein thebutton mechanism is operatively configured to activate the drive motorwhen the button mechanism is engaged.

The hygienic dispenser may also comprise a product roll support withinthe dispenser housing. Such roll supports may be extensions, axles,planar supports, or equivalents.

The hygienic dispenser for dispensing a length of product from a rollmay also be described as comprising: a dispenser housing; a surfacedefining an engagement opening in the dispenser housing; a dispensingslot; and a button mechanism adjacent the engagement opening. Wherein aportion of the product is positioned between the engagement opening andthe button mechanism prior to exiting the dispenser to provide arenewable, hygienic surface for the engagement button or activator. Inone form, the dispensing slot is positioned adjacent the bottommostsurface of the dispenser. In one form, the surface defining anengagement opening is positioned at the front surface of the dispenserto make the contact portion more visible and convenient for a user.

A towel dispenser configured to dispense a towel therefrom is disclosedherein. The towel dispenser may also be described as comprising a casingcomprising an interior chamber portion, wherein the interior chamberportion is configured to house a towel roll. In one form, the casingcomprises a rearward portion and a forward portion, the forward portioncomprising a perimeter surface defining an engagement opening. In oneform, the casing comprises a towel dispensing portion (slot) configuredto dispense a portion of the towel therefrom. Additionally, an activatormember (button) may be included wherein the activator member ispositioned in proximity to the engagement opening of the casing suchthat a portion of the towel is interposed between the activator and theengagement opening of the casing to be visible therethrough. In thisembodiment, the engagement opening comprises a distance from a toweldispensing slot which is less than the length of the towel that isdisbursed when the activator is activated ejecting a portion of thetowel therefrom. In one form, the towel dispenser is configured suchthat when a user depresses a portion of the towel through the opening toactivate the activator member, the portion of the towel depressed by theuser is dispensed through the towel dispensing portion. The towel in oneform is a cloth based towel. In one form, the towel is a cloth towelconfigured for a cloth recirculation towels system. In another form, thetowel is disbursed on a roll and is a paper-based towel configured to betorn off once a portion of the towel is disbursed from the dispensingslot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a highly schematic view of a hygienic dispenser in one form.

FIG. 2 is a highly schematic view of a hygienic dispenser in use in oneform.

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of a hygienic dispenser in one form.

FIG. 4 is an isometric cutaway view of a hygienic dispenser in one form.

FIG. 5 is an isometric exploded view of a hygienic dispenser in oneform.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the hygienic dispenser as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the hygienic dispenser as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a hygienic dispenser with the front coverremoved.

FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of a hygienic dispenser using an “endless”roll of product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Prior art dispensers, such as paper towel dispensers, toilet paperdispensers, and other dispensers for paper products distributed onrolls, generally fell into two categories. The first category is that ofthe touchless sensor-type dispenser, which is often found in publicrestrooms today, and a second category of pushbutton or manual advancedispensers wherein the user must contact a surface of the dispenser,either to push a button or to advance a manual assembly to receive aportion of the desired product. The products in these categories havefaced substantial difficulties. For example, with the common “touchless”dispensers, the sensor has proven to be relatively problematic in itsresponsiveness to different individuals. Furthermore, as the sensor isusually positioned on or behind the casing of the dispenser, often userswill still come in contact with the portion of the casing or the sensorspace. Thus germs and diseases can be transmitted from person to person.For the pushbutton or manual dispensers, it will always be necessary forthe user to come in contact with the dispenser to activate or utilizethe dispenser, and thus germs are even more likely to be transmittedfrom person to person.

This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one form is a motorizedelectric dispenser, designed to be a low-cost device having a reducedfootprint. The dispenser electromechanically dispenses a pre-determinedlength sheet of material to the user, without the requirement of atouchless sensor, or the user needing to directly touch any part of thedispenser while the hygienic portion is functioning properly. In theevent that the hygienic portion is not functioning properly, a manualadvance assembly may also be utilized. One objective of the device inone form is to provide a variably determined sheet of material to theuser in accordance with industry standards, without the use of thestandard “touchless” sensors. In another form, the entire roll ofmaterial remains sanitary and enclosed within the dispenser until it isdispensed. There is no “tail” projecting from the dispenser in one formthat may be a source of cross-contamination.

Looking to FIG. 1, the dispenser 20 is shown, wherein a portion of theproduct 22 to be dispensed is exposed through an engagement opening 24in the front casing 26 of the dispenser 20. It can be seen that the user28 is reaching towards the exposed portion 30 of the product 22 in thedirection of travel 32. Behind the exposed portion 30 is a pushbuttonactivator which engages the dispenser 20 to dispense a portion ofproduct as shown in FIG. 2. The activator may be a standard electricbutton, switch, proximity sensor, heat sensor or similar, equivalentdevice. As the user 28 withdraws their finger or other appendage in thedirection of travel 34, the product 22 is dispensed in one form of thebottom of the dispenser in the direction of travel 36.

Before beginning a detailed description, an axes system 10 is shown inFIG. 1 comprising a vertical axes 12, a transverse axes 14, and alongitudinal axes 16. This axes system 10 is intended to aid inunderstanding of the disclosure herein, and is not intended to belimiting.

Looking to FIG. 3 the dispenser 20 is shown in one form in a sidecutaway view, which should help in understanding the interiorconfiguration of the device. In one form, a product roll 38, such as aroll of paper towels or toilet paper, is suspended upon a roll support40 which can also be more easily seen in FIG. 7. Alternatively, theproduct roll 38 may simply rest on an inner portion of the casing ormechanism. Looking briefly to FIG. 4, the dispenser 20 is shown in anisometric cutaway view which more clearly shows the dispenser housing42, which substantially comprises a front casing 44 coupled to a rearcasing 46 at a casing pivot 48 (which is more easily shown in FIG. 3).The rear casing 46 is operatively configured to be attached to avertical structure such as a bathroom wall by way of fasteners, such asscrews, mounted through a plurality of mounting recesses 50. While thecasing pivot 48 couples the rear casing 46 to the front casing 44 at thelowermost portion of the dispenser 20, a latching mechanism (not shown)may be provided in the upper region such as at a latching mechanismopening 52. The dispenser 20 also comprises a dispensing slot 54 at thebottom portion of the dispenser 20, through which the product 22 isdispensed, as shown in FIG. 2.

Looking specifically at the lowermost front portion of the dispenser 20,as shown in FIG. 4, an engagement opening 56 is provided to allow a useraccess to a button mechanism generally at 58. The engagement opening 56is defined by an opening rim 60 around the engagement opening 56. Theopening rim 60 may be provided in the front casing 44 as shown in FIGS.1 and 2, or alternatively may be provided in a replaceable cover panel62 as shown in FIG. 5. The button mechanism comprises a contact surface64, which in operation is behind the exposed portion 30 of the product22, as previously described. In this arrangement, when the user presseson the contact surface 64 through the product 22, the dispenser isactivated and dispenses a portion of product through the dispensing slot54. The portion of product dispensed includes the portion that the usercontacted through the engagement opening 56. Thus, a sanitary conditionis constantly maintained.

Looking to FIG. 3, a product path 66 is shown, which is defined as thepath the product 22 travels between the product roll 38 and a dispensingslot 54. As can be seen, the product path 66 passes between the openingrim 60 and the contact surface 64 of the button mechanism 68.

Thus, the exposed portion 30 of the product 22 provides a sanitary,constantly replaceable barrier between the user 28 and the buttonmechanism 68. In one form of operation, a cutting edge 70 is provided asshown in FIG. 3. The cutting edge 70 functions to allow the user 28 tocut, or tear, the product 22 along a substantially straight or desiredline. When a cutting edge 70 is utilized, the device comprises a minimumdispensed length 72 defined as the distance between the opening rim 60and the cutting edge 70. In one particular example, the device comprisesa minimum dispensed length 72 defined as the distance between the upperedge 73 of the opening rim 60 and the cutting edge 70. Of course, thedispensed length could be substantially longer than this, and may beadjustable by service personnel or could be pre-set as the dispenser 20is built.

In one form, seen in FIGS. 3-8, the paper path 66 passes between a driveroller 74 and a pressure roller 76. The pressure roller 76 generallypresses against the drive roller 74. In this way, when the drive roller74 is caused to rotate, the product 22 will tend to be dispensed, as itis pressed against the drive roller 74 by the pressure roller 76. In oneform, the pressure roller 76 is coupled to the front casing 44. In thisway, when the latching mechanism is released, and the front casing 44pivots about the front casing pivot 48, the distance between the driveroller 74 and the pressure roller 76 will open up. Thus, when areplacement product roll 38 is inserted into the dispenser 20, it ismuch easier for the service personnel to direct the product 22 down theproduct path 66 and between the drive roller 74 and pressure roller 76.As the front casing 44 is rotated to a closed position, and the latchingmechanism is reengaged, the product 22 is positioned along the productpath 66 and is ready for dispensing.

Looking to FIG. 5, the relationship of the pressure roller 76 to thecover panel 62 and front casing 44 can be seen. Looking to FIG. 6, whichis a detail view of this portion of FIG. 5, it can be seen how in oneform, the pressure roller 76 is inserted into a bearing surface 78 of aspring clip 80. The spring clip 80 allows the pressure roller 76 torotate about an axel end 82. In one form, the spring clip 80 is pressfit within a receiver 84, which is coupled to the front casing 44.Furthermore, the spring clip 80 comprises a spring arm 86 whichfunctions to pressure or force the pressure roller 76 against the driveroller 74. In one form, the cover panel 62 hides the pressure roller 76and spring clip 80 from the view of the user 28. It can also be seenthat the opening rim 60, as previously described and shown in FIG. 4,may comprise an opening rim 60 a in the cover panel 62, and anotheropening rim 60 b in the front casing 44. As previously described, thisopening rim 60 allows the user access to the button mechanism 68 throughthe exposed portion 30 of the product 22.

Looking back to FIG. 5, a powered advance assembly 88 and manual advanceassembly 90 are shown. The powered advance assembly 88 generallycomprises the drive roller 74 previously discussed, and a drive motor92. In addition, a plurality of reduction gears 94 may be utilized tocouple the drive motor 92 to the drive roller 74. Looking to FIG. 7,which is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 5, it can be seen how an endcap 96, axel 98, and drive gear 100 may be utilized to couple the driveroller 74 to the drive motor 92. A power source 102 such as a battery,series of batteries, power supply, or power adapter can be utilized toelectronically couple a button mechanism or contact surface 104 to thedrive motor 92. In one form, the circuit between the power source 102and the drive motor 92 may include an open circuit between the contactsurface 104 and another portion 106 such that when the contact surface104 is pressed by the user, the circuit is closed. In addition, thecircuit 108 may comprise a timing circuit 110 such that when the circuit108 is closed, the drive motor 92 will operate for certain amount oftime, corresponding to the minimum dispensed length 72 to dispense thedesired length of product. This time interval may in one form beadjustable by service personnel. In one form, the power source 102 iscoupled to a standard household power source, such as a 110V AC circuitcommonly found in US structures. In one form, a pawl 112 is providedwhich may couple to a side frame 116 at a pawl receiver 114. This pawl114 prohibits the drive roller 74 from rotating backwards, which wouldtend to draw the product 22 back up toward the product roll 38 along theproduct path 66. This may in some forms make it very difficult for theuser to reengage the device, as most users will not have access to theinterior portion of the dispenser 20.

A manual advance assembly 90 may also be incorporated as shown in FIG.5. Manual advance assemblies are often utilized, as it is not uncommonfor the powered advance assembly 88 to become non-functional, such aswhen the drive motor 92 no longer functions, or when the power source102 no longer functions, such as when batteries are depleted. The manualadvance assembly generally comprises a manual advance driver 118, whichis exposed through the dispenser housing 42 such that a user 28 canmanually engage the manual advance driver 118. As shown, the manualadvance driver 118 comprises a disc-like wheel which is configured tosubstantially prohibit a user from rotating the manual advance driver118 in a non-desired direction. These drivers 118 are well-known in theart, and also comprise pushbuttons, cranks, spurred wheels, andequivalents. In one form, the manual advance driver 118 is coupled insuch a way that when it is rotated, the drive motor 92 is not rotated,to increase ease in use. Such one-way drive mechanisms and one-waybearings are well-known in the art.

Also looking at FIG. 7, it can be seen how in one form, each of the rollsupports 40 are removably attached to the rear casing 46 at a supportreceiver 120. In one form, a snap lock-type mechanism 122 is utilized tomaintain the roll support within the support receiver 120. Additionally,a projection 124 can be utilized as an axle to engage the inner surfaceof the product roll 38.

Looking now to FIG. 8, the dispenser 20 is shown with the front casing44 removed to show the workings of the mechanism. As shown, the manualadvance driver 118 extends through a casing opening 126 such that it canbe reached and operated by a user. As the advance driver in one form isrecessed into the side of the dispenser, it will be more obvious to theuser to utilize the button mechanism 68 in the front of the dispenser.Additionally, as the button mechanism 68 will not be visible to a user,as it will be behind the exposed portion 33 of the product 22, therewill likely be indications on the front casing 44, such as on the coverpanel 62, to direct a user to press through the opening rim 60 andengage the button mechanism 68 to dispense a portion of product 22.

Looking to FIG. 9, another embodiment is shown where the minimumdispersed length 128 is defined as the length between the opening rim60, and the dispensing slot 54. This embodiment may be utilized wherethe dispensed portion is not torn off by the user, but rather is cut byother methods, such as a cutter mounted on the drive roller, or pre-cuttowels. This embodiment may also be utilized such that the product isnot removed at all, but rather comprises a return path 130 back into thedispenser 20, such as would be utilized in a continuous, cloth-typetowel.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of severalembodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described indetail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in anyway limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additionaladvantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claimswill readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in itsbroader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details,representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shownand described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such detailswithout departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' generalconcept.

1. A hygienic dispenser for dispensing a length of product from a roll,the dispenser comprising: a. a dispenser housing; b. a surface definingan engagement opening in the dispenser housing; c. a dispensing slot; d.a button mechanism adjacent the engagement opening e. a product pathdefined as the path product will take from the product roll to thedispensing slot; and f. wherein the product path passes between theengagement opening and the button mechanism.
 2. The hygienic dispenserof claim 1 further comprising: a. a pressure roller adjacent the driveroller; and b. the pressure roller is operatively configured to providefrictional engagement between the product being dispensed and the driveroller.
 3. The hygienic dispenser of claim 2 further comprising; a. afront casing; b. a rear casing; c. wherein the front casing is rotatablycoupled to the rear casing; and d. wherein the pressure roller iscoupled to the front casing.
 4. The hygienic dispenser of claim 1further comprising a manual advance assembly.
 5. The hygienic dispenserof claim 4 further comprising a one-way-rotational device operativelyconfigured to allow a user to manually operate the manual advancemechanism in only one direction.
 6. The hygienic dispenser of claim 1wherein the dispenser is operatively configured to dispense a length ofproduct at each operation of the button mechanism greater than thedistance along the paper path from the engagement opening to thedispensing slot.
 7. The hygienic dispenser of claim 6 furthercomprising: a. a cutting edge coupled to the dispenser housing; and b.wherein the length of product dispensed at each operation of the buttonmechanism is greater than the distance along the paper path between theengagement opening and the cutting edge.
 8. The hygienic dispenser ofclaim 7 wherein the length of product dispensed at each operation of thebutton mechanism is greater than the distance along the paper pathbetween the upper edge of the engagement opening and the cutting edge.9. The hygienic dispenser of claim 1 further comprising: a. a drivemotor coupled to a drive roller; b. wherein the drive roller isoperatively configured to engage the product being dispensed; c.circuitry coupled between the drive motor and the button mechanism; andd. wherein the button mechanism is operatively configured to activatethe drive motor when the button mechanism is engaged.
 10. The hygienicdispenser of claim 1 further comprising a product roll support withinthe dispenser housing.
 11. A hygienic dispenser for dispensing a lengthof product from a roll, the dispenser comprising: a. a dispenserhousing; b. a surface defining an engagement opening in the dispenserhousing; c. a dispensing slot; d. a button mechanism adjacent theengagement opening; e. wherein a portion of the product is positionedbetween the engagement opening and the button mechanism prior to exitingthe dispenser.
 12. The hygienic dispenser of claim 11 wherein thedispensing slot is positioned adjacent the bottommost surface of thedispenser.
 13. The hygienic dispenser of claim 11 wherein the surfacedefining an engagement opening is positioned at the front surface of thedispenser.
 14. A towel dispenser configured to dispense a toweltherefrom, the towel dispenser comprising: a. a casing comprising aninterior chamber portion, the interior chamber portion configured tohouse a towel roll; b. the casing comprising a rearward portion and aforward portion, the forward portion comprising a perimeter surfacedefining an engagement opening; c. a towel dispensing portion configuredto dispense a portion of the towel therefrom; d. an activator member; e.the activator member positioned in proximity to the engagement openingof the casing; f. the towel configured to be interposed between theactivator member and the engagement opening of the casing to be visibletherethrough; g. the engagement opening comprising a distance from atowel dispensing slot which is less than the length of the towel that isdisbursed when the activator member is activated, ejecting a portion ofthe towel therefrom.
 15. The towel dispenser as recited in claim 14configured such that when a user depresses a portion of the towelthrough the opening to activate the activator member, the portion of thetowel depressed by the user is dispensed through the towel dispensingportion.
 16. The towel dispenser as recited in claim 15 where the towelis a cloth based towel.
 17. The towel dispenser as recited in claim 16where the towel is a cloth towel configured for a cloth recirculationtowels system.
 18. The towel dispenser as recited in claim 15 where thetowel is disbursed on a roll and is a paper-based towel configured to betorn once a portion of the towel is disbursed from the dispensing slot.